A firefighter who wants to return to Falmouth has applied to build a house on an empty strip of land overlooking St Mary's Gardens.

A Mr and Mrs Truscott have applied to build the house on an overgrown strip of land between Baythorn and 1 Spernen Wyn Road, Falmouth.

Falmouth Packet:

An aerial shot of the plot highlighted in green

At a recent meeting of Falmouth Town Council's planning committee, councillors were told by the agent Dan Mitchell that the couple were returning to the town after Mr Truscott's relocation and wanted to build their "dream home".

The land has been owned by the family for many years and his sister lived in the house to the rear of the plot. He said the detached four bedroomed house was designed to maximise views Gyllyngvase Beach over the tennis courts with obscure glassing at the side for next door's privacy. He said the ridge height was "significantly lower" than the other homes and was a slim design.

He said the design of the house which would be accessed from Spernen Wyn Road with the front looking towards the beach Boscawen Road "made good use of the space."

Questioned by Cllr Zoe Young over what the design incorporated to tackle the climate emergency Mr Mitchell said energy efficiency was a very strong objective and solar panels would be placed on the roof and would be super insulated.

But Cllr Alan Jewell said that wasn't enough as climate change was a real issue and applicants should come armed with a list of facts about what they were going to do to tackle it in their designs.

Cllr Steve Eva said: "We don't want greenfield sites for housing. We are asking people to build within the town which can be used for building.

"The conservation officer says he is surprised there hasn't been an application there before. I personally think they have tried their best to fit this in here and I personally haven't got a problem with it."

Falmouth Packet:

Various views of the site

Cllr John Spargo said he didn't think there was any issue in developing the plot but he said half of the building was done really well but the other half wasn't and "didn't sit very comfortably."

Cllr Jewell backed him saying: "I think it should be turned down. Something should go there, but not this."

Councillors voted to recommend refusal.